Combining two or more resumes into one is a great way to save time and get multiple job offers at once. This type of resume is called a ‘combined’ or ‘joint’ resume.

If you’ve recently changed companies or switched careers, your combined resume will also give potential employers a clear idea of how well-suited you are for their current needs.

What is a combination resume?

A combination resume combines information from several previous jobs onto one page. The format is similar to a chronological resume, but instead of listing each position separately, you combine them together under one heading.

For example, if you worked as an event planner for three years, then moved over to customer service for six months, and now are ready to work as a sales associate, you could create a combined resume by combining all of this information into one list of duties and responsibilities.

Another benefit of using a combined resume is that it can help employers quickly identify which positions you held previously. If they don’t know what company you were with before, they may assume that you didn’t stay there very long.

You’ll want to make sure that any gaps in employment are clearly noted so that recruiters aren’t left wondering where the last five years went.

Why use a combined resume?

Sometimes, a person’s skill sets are too varied to effectively present on a simple resume. A combined resume helps to avoid this issue. It allows you to showcase experiences from past jobs, while still providing accurate information about your skills and abilities.

It’s important to keep in mind that people are often hired based on their strengths, not just their weaknesses. Therefore, presenting only negative aspects of your career history may make it difficult for hiring managers to see your full value.

The advantages of having a combined resume include:

• Being able to show off your entire range of skills and experience

• Gaining credibility when applying for new opportunities

• Showing potential employers who you really are, since you’re highlighting your most recent accomplishments first

• Making it easier to get interviews, especially if you have had trouble getting interviews because of a lack of relevant experience

When should you be using a Combination Resume

If you’re looking to switch careers, a combined resume would work best for you. In order to pull off a successful transition, you should probably stick to the same industry (or industries) throughout your whole career. However, if you’re changing fields entirely, a combined resume is a great option!

You’re usually better off choosing a traditional chronological resume if you already have a lot of experience, and want to emphasize it.

You’ll want to use a combination resume if you’ve been out of the workforce for some time, and need a little extra preparation.

When writing a combined resume, it’s best to start by taking a look back at the highlights of your career. While you do have to add up your total number of hours spent working for each employer, you shouldn’t write the same job description for every different position you held.

Instead, choose one or two particular roles that stand out to you, and focus on those. For example, if you feel like you’re good at problem-solving, choose a role involving a similar skill set. Also, try to remember specific details about the projects you worked on, such as names of clients, dates, locations, etc.

While you may use a few keywords, including these details will give your resume a more personalized feel than a standard resume.

Once you’ve listed the highlights of your career, go ahead and move forward. Choose your next position, and fill in the blanks. This will let you explain why you chose it, how well you did it, and what other skills you used to succeed in that role.

Remember that your objective/job title should also match the job you’re applying for. For instance, if you’re trying to land a management position, but your objective is “Sales Associate”, you won’t come across as genuine or serious. Similarly, if you’re applying for an administrative assistant job, don’t put down a sales position.

Make sure to list any relevant education and training courses completed, as well as any honors, awards, or certifications earned. Finally, note any volunteer positions you took part in, whether they were paid or unpaid.

How should you create a combination resume – the basics 

Whether you’re switching careers or rebranding yourself, a combination resume can help you communicate your message clearly and succinctly.

Here are the steps you’ll need to take to create a solid resume that shows your leadership style, personality, and unique skills:

1. Decide What You Want Your Targeted Job Title To Be

First things first, decide exactly what type of job you’d like to pursue. If you’re not completely sure yet, take a minute to think very carefully about what kind of position stands out to you.

Maybe you enjoy being creative, or love technology? Or perhaps you excel at planning? Whatever it is, make sure that this is the position that you really want.

2. Determine what type of job you currently hold

Next, find out which position you currently hold. Since you’re going to be listing all of your previous jobs here, it’s important to know what you actually do now.

Don’t just assume that you’re the CEO of a company – check out their website and see if there’s anything on there that could contradict your story.

3. Take note of your target job titles

Now it’s time to figure out the names of the jobs you wish to apply for. It’s crucial that you keep track of them so that you can switch them around when needed.

4. Start Writing: Do Not Go Back After Step 2

You’re ready to get started! In order to build a strong resume, you’ll need to write down everything that happened during your career. Remember to include your name, contact information, and other pertinent details.

5. List all of your current responsibilities

The most challenging aspect of creating a combination resume is figuring out where to begin. Fortunately, you only have to complete this step once since you already compiled a list of your past employers. However, you’ll need to adjust your information depending on each new employer.

6. Include every relevant skill

It’s essential that you detail every skill you possess, even if they aren’t directly related to your profession. A resume is meant to be informative, after all, not long-winded. So don’t skimp on the facts.

7. Mention all of your achievements

Your resume doesn’t need to be limited to your work history – it should also showcase your contributions to society. Make sure to mention any accolades, awards, or accomplishments that you received while working under different companies or organizations.

Conclusion

A combination resume allows you to emphasize your skills and experiences, without overwhelming potential hiring managers with an exhaustive list of duties performed. With careful consideration, you can craft a perfect piece of writing that will allow you to stand out from others.

If you’re still struggling with writing your own application-ready resume, Our team of expert resume writers can help you craft a professionally written resume to ensure you land your dream job.